In a follow-up to several recent posts about the City of Des Plaines' ongoing debate over whether to join the RED Center for fire and emergency medical services (EMS) dispatch, the *Daily Herald* has published an article detailing the city’s decision to move forward with the change. The city council recently approved the switch with a 7-1 vote, marking a significant shift in how emergency services are managed in the area.
Des Plaines will now outsource its fire dispatch services to the Regional Emergency Dispatch (RED) Center, a regional consortium that serves 14 local fire departments. Park Ridge, which had been operating under the same system, also voted to make the switch, as both cities were required to act together or not at all. This move comes after the dissolution earlier this year of the North Suburban Emergency Communication Center, which previously handled emergency calls for Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Niles, and Morton Grove.
During a recent city council meeting, Fire Chief Alan Wax highlighted the key benefits of transitioning to the RED Center, including enhanced service quality, better coordination for regional responses, and improved cost efficiency. He noted that while the switch may lead to some job reductions—specifically two supervisory roles and one full-time dispatch position, affecting five employees across multiple shifts—it would also create two part-time positions.
The RED Center, established in 1977, is known for its specialized handling of fire department calls. Located in Northbrook, the facility offers advanced call-taking, pre-arrival medical instructions, and dispatching services. As a member of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Division 3, Des Plaines joins other local departments in relying on this centralized system.
In 2012, the center handled over 37,000 fire-related calls, with Des Plaines accounting for 14.6% of that volume. Last year, the two cities combined made nearly 11,000 fire calls. Despite the transition, the Des Plaines 911 center will still receive all emergency calls and forward fire and rescue-related incidents to the RED Center.
City officials emphasized that the current dispatch process remains efficient, with 90% of calls being responded to within 60 seconds. Additionally, Des Plaines dispatchers can monitor incoming calls and coordinate with police units when necessary, ensuring a more integrated response.
This decision marks a major step toward greater regional cooperation and streamlined emergency services in the area. It reflects a growing trend among municipalities to pool resources and improve operational efficiency through shared dispatch systems.
Thanks, Dan.
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